Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party announced Abdullah Öcalan's call after the İmralı Delegation's meeting with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan yesterday. Stating that the call announced under the title "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" is of a historical nature, DEM Party Antalya MP Saruhan Oluç emphasised that Abdullah Öcalan made a call not only to his own organization but also to the government and the state. Expressing that their expectations are for peace, Oluç said, "Mr. Öcalan made a very clear call to his own organization. And he also explained the reasons for this, he put forward this justification with the developments in the world conjuncture. At the same time, he made a call to Turkey, the government and the state."

 

'BOTH THE STATE AND SOCIETY MUST DEMOCRATISE'

 

Pointing to the democratisation nature of the call for the democratisation of the state and society, Oluç said, "The title of the call also shows this, 'Democratic Society Call.' In other words, he said 'Society and politics must be democratised'. Therefore, he called on the government and the state to develop and enrich the grounds for democratisation, democratic law and democratic politics. He said something for the Kurdish people, for the Turkish people, for all people living in this country and in the Middle East. We have all witnessed this moment and it is of great importance that steps are taken for the realisation of this democratisation, for the democratisation of both society and the state in Turkey. As DEM Party, we will do our best to socialise the ideas and policies in this call in line with this call made by Mr Öcalan."

 

'IT WOULD BE A GREAT GAIN FOR EVERYONE'

 

Stating that they will continue to enlarge the struggle for peace, Oluç said that peace will benefit everyone. Expressing that the call was welcomed with great excitement, Oluç said, "If we can ensure a democratisation, a return to democratic law, principles of democratic law and democratic politics together with the government and the opposition in Turkey, this would be a great gain for everyone."

 

Stating that they also have a great responsibility for the socialisation of the struggle and democracy, Oluç said: "Realising this is the first duty of the DEM Party and all its components, its voters, those who are devoted to the DEM Party, the Kurdish political movement and all of us. There are steps to be taken by the state and the government. Especially in the field of law, there is an urgent need for reforms and democratisation. As these steps are taken, as a reform in the field of law is realised, some results will emerge both in terms of prisons, local administrations and appointed trustees. Of course, we will both fight for this and follow it. This is a process that will ultimately lead to a democratic, libertarian constitution. The struggle for peace; socialising peace is much more difficult than war or conflict. But we believe that we will achieve this difficult task together."

 

MA / Yeşim Tükel